Inter-Hospital visitors’ bus service to cease

26/03/2012

The visitors’ bus service between South Tyrone Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital will cease to operate on Monday 30 April 2012.
A recent review of the service, which is used to transport visitors between the two hospitals, has shown that the number of people using the bus is very low.

Miceal Crilly, Assistant Director of Disability Services with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, said: “The Trust recently carried out an audit of the visitors’ bus service and found that, on average, only 7-10 visitors use the service every day. This is a not a good use of resources and does not provide value for money in the current financial climate, especially when there is now alternative transport provided by Translink.” Mr Crilly went on to point out that transport for patients continues to be provided as needed by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

Lyn Donnelly, Assistant Director of Commissioning at the Health and Social Care Board, added: “The visitors’ bus service was introduced in 1999 to ensure that local communities in the South Tyrone area were not disadvantaged in visiting their relatives following the transfer of acute services from South Tyrone Hospital to Craigavon Area Hospital.

“Buses for visitors are not provided at other facilities in the Southern area where there has been a change in service provision and the Southern Local Commissioning Group (SLCG) wish to ensure equity and fairness across the health and social care system.”

Mrs Donnelly stressed that both the SLCG and Trust are fully committed to commissioning and providing an efficient and effective health and social care service for everyone in the Southern area.

Alternative transport is now provided from the Dungannon area to Craigavon Area Hospital by Translink which offers services six days per week, Monday-Saturday. Information on Service 75A, which links Dungannon with Craigavon Area Hospital, is available at www.translink.co.uk or telephone 028 9066 6630.